Information for the public

BCG vaccination

BCG vaccination

1 or more of their parents or grandparents were born in a country where TB is widespread

someone in their family has had TB in the past 5 years

children who are 15 or under who weren't vaccinated as newborn babies and who may be at higher risk of TB

people who are 35 or under who haven't been vaccinated before and have had a negative Mantoux test result if they:

have been in close contact with someone with TB affecting their lungs or larynx

have come to live in the UK from areas where TB is widespread

work with animals that can get TB (such as chimpanzees or cows)

work in prisons, homes for older people, or hostels for refugees, asylum seekers or homeless people

plan to live or work for more than 3 months in a country where TB is widespread

people who haven't been vaccinated before and have had a negative Mantoux test and work regularly with patients or clinical specimens.

If you or your child is offered BCG vaccination, the person offering it to you should give you information about the benefits and risks. This should be in the right language and format for you. You should be able to discuss these with a healthcare professional before deciding what to do.